After such a promising start to the season, the Knickerbockers are starting to resemble last season’s club. With losses in six of its past seven games, New York is fading in the Eastern Conference.
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SCHEDULING
It doesn’t take much time for so much to change. Just two weeks ago, the Knicks were a .500 team and less than one game out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. That was before six losses in seven games shoved them further down the crowded standings and closer to a third straight season ending short of the postseason. In a little less than two weeks, it could become clear how closely a playoff opportunity is aligned with reality.
With four games left before the All-Star break, the Knicks face the seventh-place Pistons on Thursday in their lone road matchup before the break. It’s a crucial time for the Knickerbockers, who fell a season-worst five games below .500 and 3.5 games out of the eighth seed with Tuesday’s 97-89 home loss to Boston. Before the game, coach Derek Fisher said the “process” is more important than the playoffs, but the Knicks were an outclassed club.
The Pistons head home after a game with the Celtics on Wednesday to complete a back-to-back set. That game is the first of five in eight days for Detroit ahead of the All-Star Break. The Pistons are 3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS in the second game of their 10 back-to-backs so far this season. New York was victorious in the only previous meeting this season, posting a 108-96 win at the Garden on Dec. 29.
INJURIES
Jose Calderon has missed the last four games and the Knicks missed his decision-making Tuesday, turning the ball over 17 times with ball movement an issue in the team’s stagnant offense.
Guard Reggie Jackson had his right hand wrapped to protect a jammed thumb and forward Marcus Morris is bothered by tendinitis in his left knee. Both players skipped Tuesday’s practice but will likely play against the Knicks. Meanwhile, Jodie Meeks is likely done for the season after being told his broken right foot hasn’t healed.
KEY MATCHUP
The Pistons have improved dramatically under the guidance of coach Stan Van Gundy. And the biggest improvement is coming from their biggest asset. Center Andre Drummond has become an integral part of Detroit’s offensive schemes and he’s putting together a season with career-highs in points and rebounds per game. His success is due partly to the offensive alignment SVG has instituted. Van Gundy added shooters who can hit the three, or at least be enough of a threat that they can’t be left open. In turn, this has opened up the block allowing Drummond to roam free, usually in a one-on-one matchup, near the hoop. And as long as he stays off the foul line, Drummond has been deadly. He’s making better than 52 percent of his field goals while averaging 17.3 points per game. He’s also grabbed 16 or more rebounds five times in his last 10 games while twice going over 20. Drummond presents a huge problem for the Knicks, who have struggled with their interior defense during their recent slide. New York allowed Boston’s unheralded big man Tyler Zeller to smash them for 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Carmelo Anthony’s knees won’t allow him to compete at a high level each and every game for the rest of this NBA season. Kristaps Porzingis has hit a wall and the production has declined in the past few games. And the Knicks continue to spiral downward with losses in six of their previous seven games. The All-Star break can’t come soon enough. Unlike New York, Detroit considers itself a playoff contender, and a home game against a floundering team gives the Pistons an excellent opportunity to solidify its standing. The Knicks’ struggles go beyond Anthony and Porzingis. The team has struggled in transition defense and guarding the low post, leading to an abundance of easy looks. With their two leading offensive threats scuffling to find a rhythm, only Arron Afflalo has supplied any secondary scoring. And that just won’t get it done.
Detroit 102, New York 95
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